Anyone With RLS?

[BillM]

If you have RLS you know what the initials stand for, Restless Leg syndrome. I have RLS and it creates problems in a sound and restful sleep. At times I will wake up violently kicking. I've been on Pramipexole (Mirapex) for over 20 years and it partially contained the RLS but of recent it doesn't work as well as it has in the past.
As a matter of fact, I had a partial knee implant last May of 2023 and was doing fairly well until I kicked a couple of weeks ago and sort of hyperextended the knee, displacing the implant and creating a lot of residual pain.
Now, I have to have a total knee implant and I'm concerned about destroying the new knee implant should I kick-which I will again.
So, what are you on for RLS? Does it work? I went to a RLS forum and someone said that the Pramipexole is the wrong medication for RLS and it is causing the kicking and I need to get off the medication very slowly. I do have an appointment with asleep specialist this month so I'll pose that question to them.
It i a literal pain to get older and have problems medically whereas before I didnt have any medical problems. So what are you on for RL and does it work?

Late to the party, as usual, but SWMBO has this problem. She just about dances. Gabapentin & Lyrica don't help her. Magnesium & potassium supplements do. Eating half a banana also helps. I've had it, started taking gabapentin (400mgx3 daily) for neuropathy, and not noticed the restless legs happening until the last couple days. Ran out of the gabapentin, and having troubles sleeping again. Got my refill yesterday, took first pill when I remembered. No problem this morning... My autistic son started doing janitorial work at Tinker this week, and I take him to, and pick him up from work. Got home a bit after midnight, and remembered the refill sitting on my desk. Took my pills then, and viola! A good night's sleep

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Quite honestly, Mirapex is a bad medicine. Quitting it cold turkey is very difficult and can adversely effect your health. Mirapex has many side effects that are not "talked about," such as addictive behavior to gambling and yes, sex addiction and sleepwalking. Even worse is a very rare side effect known as BSS (Bent Spine Syndrome.) I have my reasons for railing against it. Many do take it without issue. Hope you never have an issue as a result.

Mentioned several times is Gabapentin which has been around for decades. Have not heard of any side effects with that drug.

Please, before taking any medication, do a google search. Yup, I am using the typical argument people use when railing against meds like the covid vaccine. Be an informed patient.

 

[BillM]

Quite honestly, Mirapex is a bad medicine. Quitting it cold turkey is very difficult and can adversely effect your health. Mirapex has many side effects that are not "talked about," such as addictive behavior to gambling and yes, sex and sleepwalking. Even worse is a very rare side effect known as BSS (Bent Spine Syndrome.) I have my reasons for railing against it. Many do take it without issue. Hope you never have an issue as a result.

Mentioned several times is Gabapentin which has been around for decades. Have not heard of any side effects with that drug.

Please, before taking any medication, do a google search. Yup, I am using the typical argument people use when railing against meds like the covid vaccine. Be an informed patient.

Gabapentin does have unwanted side effects for some people. My wife, for one. Works (so far) for me. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14208-8217/gabapentin-oral/gabapentin-oral/details. She has enough problems already that she takes 12 different medications already and apparently they don't test for drug interactions until they have a bunch of complaints. And nobody tests for interactions between multiple drugs. Still worth trying IF and ONLY IF you do your research and start at a lower dose and work your way up. Good Luck!

 

[CHenry]

Dadgummit, y'all keep telling me about all these "adventures" you go on when you take certain meds. And I got NUFFIN' outta the deal. I'm telling ya ... It ain't fair ...

When I was in the hospitol a few weeks ago. They were giving me 2 narcotics (cant remember what it was) but one evening after taking it, it started snowing in my room. Not kidding, it looked like it was snowing. I was trying to catch a flake but they werent there to catch. I took those pills no more.

 

[Cryhavoc33]

(NEURONTIN) aka Gabapentin works quite well for my restless leg syndrome! It is offered in generic form, which I take. The brand name of gabapentin is (NEURONTIN)

I am not a doctor, so I am only sharing information based on my own personal experience and unprofessional knowledge , but I saw the medication (LYRICA) mentioned in this thread, and felt it was worth mentioning that (LYRICA) is a SCHEDULE V Controlled Substance, while (NEURONTIN) is not a controlled substance.


(LYRICA) is the name brand for the drug Pregabalin, which is in the same family of medications as Gabapentin (NEURONTIN)

They have their differences like all medications do, but share alot of similarities which makes them both beneficial treatment options of RLS for a lot of people, so they are definitely worth bringing up to your doctor to see if they see either of them as a viable treatment option for ya, and since it seems like you're just wanting relief from your restless leg syndrome, and don't have SEVERE neuropathy, or if you're like me and try to avoid being prescribed controlled substances, I'd recommend trying the Gabapentin(NEURONTIN) before jumping straight to Pregabalin(LYRICA) if your doctor discusses them with you and sees them as viable treatment options.

Again I am not a licensed physician, this is not medical advice, and this should all be discussed with your doctor, just sharing my 2 cents

I hope that you get some relief soon

 

[sushi & pistols]

If you have RLS you know what the initials stand for, Restless Leg syndrome. I have RLS and it creates problems in a sound and restful sleep. At times I will wake up violently kicking. I've been on Pramipexole (Mirapex) for over 20 years and it partially contained the RLS but of recent it doesn't work as well as it has in the past.
As a matter of fact, I had a partial knee implant last May of 2023 and was doing fairly well until I kicked a couple of weeks ago and sort of hyperextended the knee, displacing the implant and creating a lot of residual pain.
Now, I have to have a total knee implant and I'm concerned about destroying the new knee implant should I kick-which I will again.
So, what are you on for RLS? Does it work? I went to a RLS forum and someone said that the Pramipexole is the wrong medication for RLS and it is causing the kicking and I need to get off the medication very slowly. I do have an appointment with asleep specialist this month so I'll pose that question to them.
It i a literal pain to get older and have problems medically whereas before I didnt have any medical problems. So what are you on for RL and does it work?

So I recently had my fifth back surgery and was on the table strapped down and I had an RLS fit. The doctor told my wife I violently kicked my legs while under anesthesia! He went on to say he's not ever seen anything like it. Well, a couple of points I'd like to make about myself as I am not a doctor and would hate to give advice as such. Firstly, if the drugs given during a surgery don't stop it I am thinking I am probably doomed to just press on and deal with it. Secondly, I have tried everything and nothing has worked. My main symptom is I awaken some mornings with soar legs like I have run a marathon it rarely wakes me up because I take a muscle relaxer prior to bed time and those things knock me out.

 

[John6185]

So I recently had my fifth back surgery and was on the table strapped down and I had an RLS fit. The doctor told my wife I violently kicked my legs while under anesthesia! He went on to say he's not ever seen anything like it. Well, a couple of points I'd like to make about myself as I am not a doctor and would hate to give advice as such. Firstly, if the drugs given during a surgery don't stop it I am thinking I am probably doomed to just press on and deal with it. Secondly, I have tried everything and nothing has worked. My main symptom is I awaken some mornings with soar legs like I have run a marathon it rarely wakes me up because I take a muscle relaxer prior to bed time and those things knock me out.

If you're like me, you kick while asleep and never obtain a good night's rest. As such, one cannot function at their optimum. I remember only one time at work that I was fully alert and couldn't figure out why until it hit me-I obtained a good restful night. You'd think that if we kicked (exercise) during our sleep we wouldn't gain weight...

 

[trekrok]

Are you on any anticholesterol meds? Mine created my cramps and RLS. I switched to Repatha injectables and greatly reduced the RLS and cramping. In case you are wondering, the calve cramping was debilitating and I even went to the ER twice to kill the pain. Heating pads and elevation usually helped but it took time and I was in such pain I had to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour for it to start working. I was in so much pain, I couldn't even get up to walk anywhere or the severe cramping would start all over.

A suggestion to keep you from hyperextending your knee again is wear a knee brace which restricts your flexion maximum.

As in lipitor? My dad's on that and has been fighting leg cramps. Hes trying magnesium and electrolyte stuff, but hasn't had much luck. Don't think cholesterol med has been tried.

 

[okcBob]

As in lipitor? My dad's on that and has been fighting leg cramps. Hes trying magnesium and electrolyte stuff, but hasn't had much luck. Don't think cholesterol med has been tried.

Lots of cardiologists recommend CO-Q10 for statin related cramps.